newsletter Important decisions taken July 31, 2016 Uvena scales a Peak Page 4 FIFA praise for AIFF Page 1 Page 3

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1 newsletter July 31, 2016 FIFA praise for AIFF Page 3 Uvena scales a Peak Page 4 Important decisions taken Page 1

2 Executive Committee meets in New Delhi From the GS Desk FIFA Head of Referees Massimo Busacca came calling to Kochi and it was an honour for us to have him amongst us. In the last few years, we have been working hard to develop the Referees in our Country. There have been a lot of Projects which have been introduced and we feel we have been able to achieve a lot. We have created Academies for Referees as we try to unearth a lot of new talent from all over the Country. But there s still a long way to go. There could not have been a better guide for us than him. That he feels that the AIFF is keen in implementing projects was a big certificate for us. AIFF also congratulates Uvena Fernandes in becoming the first ever Woman Assistant Referee from India to get selected to officiate in the FIFA U-17 Women s World Cup slated to kick-off in Jordan from September 30-October 21, Development of Indian Referees stays on our priority list. It s nice to see Indian Referees get International recognition, that too, an appointment to officiate in a World Cup. I wish her all the best. It was also heartening to hear that 40 odd Teams would be playing in the U-18 League post inspections. This is a significant increase as in , there was a participation of 28 Teams in the League. We also condole the death former India International and Technical Director Amal Datta. He will be alive in his achievements. He has been the inspiration of so many Footballers. May He Rest in Peace. Warm regards, Kushal Das The President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Mr. Praful Patel Chaired AIFF s Executive Committee Meeting at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on July 28, Besides, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das; Vice Presidents Mr. Subrata Dutta, Mr. KMI Mather, Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, Mr. Subhash Chopra, Mr. Larsing Ming; Treasurer Mr. ZA Thakur; Ms. Sara Pilot; and all other members except Mr. AR Khaleel and Mr. Jesiah Villavarayar attended the Meeting. AIFF Technical Director Mr. Scott O Donnell, Mr. Bhaichung Bhutia, Chairman, Technical Committee, AIFF; Mr. Javier Ceppi, Tournament Director, FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 and Mr. Joy Bhattacharya, Project Director, FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 were also present on the occasion. Mr. Chirag Tanna and Mr. Rochak Langer representing FSDL attended the Meeting. The Committee was apprised about the approval of the participation of 40 odd Teams in the U-18 League (post inspections). This is a significant increase as in , there was a participation of 28 Teams in the League. Besides, the U-16 Youth League has also witnessed a massive increase in Teams. While in , 39 Teams had participated, the forthcoming edition will see over 50 Teams battling for the top honours. Echoing the sentiment, Mr. Patel said: This is a huge positive step. It highlights the interest about the game among the younger generation. AIFF has been working extensively on the Grassroots and Youth Development, the results of which are beginning to show, he added. The first edition of the U-13 League is scheduled to kick-off in season. The draft for the proposed restructuring of Indian Club Football was put forward to the Executive Committee for the members along with the comments received from I-League and 2nd Division Clubs. The members of the Committee have been asked to come back with their suggestions. Furthermore, the President suggested the formation of a working committee to initiate an extensive dialogue involving all stakeholders for the best possible path including discussion with AFC and FIFA. The Committee also ratified the proposal of providing a time span of one year to 2nd division Clubs to complete their I-League Club licensing criteria instead of the prevailing three-month span. The fee of the Central Registration system (CRS) was reduced from Rs to Rs for foreign Players and to Rs to Rs for Indian Players. In addition, Women Players playing in the proposed Women s League will have to pay a CRS fee of Rs while all other Women Players need to play an amount of Rs The AIFF regulations on working with the intermediaries were approved by the Committee. Meanwhile, the Committee congratulated the Indian National Team for an authoritative display against Laos in the play-offs for the 2019 UAE Asian Cup Qualifiers where India won 7-1 on aggregate. Javier Ceppi also briefed the Committee about the organistion of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India The proposed new logo of the AIFF was presented to the Committee and approved. The launch date of the logo will be decided soon by the President. 1

3 All India Football Federation condoles the death of former Amal Datta passes away on 86 India International and Technical Director Amal Datta. He passed away in Kolkata after a prolonged illness on July 10, He was 86. Datta who took to Coaching immediately after hanging his boots and went on to become India s first professional Coach. He guided India to win the Gold Medal in the 1987 SAF Games in Calcutta as India s Technical Director. He was also the Technical Director for the 1988 Nehru Cup in Siliguri. AIFF President, Mr. Praful Patel in his message said: It is sad to hear that Mr. Amal Datta is no more. His contribution to Indian Football will never be forgotten. I share the grief. AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa in his condolence message wrote: Mr Dutta will be remembered for his services, passion and contribution to Indian Football; as the country s first professional coach and as a player. The thoughts and prayers of the Asian football community are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Kushal Das and Sunando Dhar speak at WFF All India Football Federation General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das and Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League spoke at the Indian Football Session at the World Football Forum in Paris on July 7-8, The central theme of the World Football Forum in 2016 was the New Geography of Football the high-growth new markets for the International game. Edward Cowell, Director World Football Forum expressed his delight at both being a part of the Forum. At a time when Indian Football is undergoing rapid development and very significant structural reform, I am delighted that two of the leading figures in the AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das and CEO of the I-League Sunando Dhar took part in the World Football Forum in Paris this year, to give their high level perspective on football in the very exciting Indian sports landscape, he said. All India Football Federation has developed a blue print that will build sustainable and financially viable ecosystem football in India over next one decade. We are committed towards maximum good for maximum number of stakeholders. We hope that every stakeholder can see and align itself with larger picture and contribute towards growth of Indian Football, Mr. Das said is a very important year for us as we will be hosting the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. There has been a massive impetus on GR Programmes, Coach Education and Academy Projects, all of which are to serve as a catalyst as we move forward, he stated. Reflecting on the proposed roadmap for restructuring of Indian Club Football Mr. Dhar felt that in six-seven years time, AIFF will be able to create sustainable Club revenue model which would allow allow Clubs to focus more on Grassroots and Youth Development which would in turn help the pyramidical structure of the National Team. Baljit Rihal, CEO, Inventive Sports said: Inventive Sports are proud to be the content partner for the Indian session at this year s World Football Forum. India is a witnessing a rapid evolution in the football arena. By having key industry figures talk about the change in front of the World s media in Paris is a positive step leading up to next year s FIFA U-17 World Cup. 2

4 ENCOURAGING THAT AIFF IS KEEN TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS FIFA Head of Referees Massimo Busacca said that it is encouraging to see that AIFF is keen on development of Indian Referees. Busacca was speaking at a packed Media Interaction in Kochi on July 24, 2016 on the sidelines of the FIFA MA Refereeing Course which is being attended by all elite Referees, Assistant Referees and Referee Assessors/Instructors. We want to work with clear projects. It s important to see that there are projects which the AIFF is keen to implement. That s important. Massimo who was adjudged the Best Referee in the World in 2009 pronounced. Speaking on the occasion AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das mentioned that it is an honour for AIFF to have Massimo amongst us. For us in All India Football Federation, Massimo s presence is very significant, Das said. In the last few years, we have been working hard to develop the Referees in our Country. There have been a lot of Projects which have been introduced and we feel we have been able to achieve a lot, he added. We have created Academies for Referees as we try to unearth a lot of new talent from all over the Country. But there s still a long way to go. Massimo who has officiated in two successive World Cups (2006 and 2010), Euro 2008, 2009 Champions League Final, 2007 UEFA Cup Final, 42 Champions League matches and 45 UEFA Cup matches and lot many other matches in top International flight, admitted that he had never seen so many Media persons gathering to listen to him. This was the first time ever that a FIFA Head of Referees has ever visited India. The U-17 World Cup is due in India next year. It would be very good occasion to invite as many as top Indian Referees and Assistant Referees to oversee our activities, Busacca said. It will be a huge learning process for them. To improve, one needs to eat and sleep Football, he felt. The more we are able to eat Football more will it help us understand and prepare for the game. Besides, you need to have to have your own personality and skills. Everyone needs to be able to make the right interpretation of the law. A Referee needs to be intelligent, trust his feelings, knowledge and communication. 3

5 UVENA FERNANDES TO OFFICIATE IN U-17 WORLD CUP In a major boost for Refereeing in India and Women s Football in general Uvena Fernandes became the first ever Woman Assistant Referee from India to get selected to officiate in the FIFA U-17 Women s World Cup slated to kick-off in Jordan from September 30-October 21, In the process she became the second Indian Referee after K Shankar to get a chance to officiate in any World Cup. Shankar had officiated as an Assistant Referee in the World Cup 2002 simultaneously held in Korea and Japan. An Assistant Referee, Uvena had earlier officiated three matches in the Asian Games 2014 in Incheon, Korea Republic including the semifinal clash between former Women s Champions Japan and Vietnam. It is like a dream come true, she told immediately after. It is a wonderful opportunity for me and I am excited to see myself officiate in a FIFA World Cup, it wasn t hard to her the glee in Uvena s voice over the phone. I thank AIFF for all the guidance and help. Asked whether the thought of her officiating in the Tournament gives her jitters, Uvena replied loud: Of course! I am stilling coming to terms with the fact that I have been appointed to officiate in the U-17 World Cup in Jordan, she stated. It is not only a boost for me, she added. It s a boost for Women s Football and Women s Refereeing in general, she added. I had always dreamt of taking Indian Women s Refereeing to an International stage, and now I can. It s a dream come true, she reiterated. Lauding Uvena s appointment Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF said that the manner AIFF have focused on Refereeing development, it was on the cards. Development of Indian Referees stays on our priority list. It s nice to see Indian Referees get International recognition, that too, an appointment to officiate in a World Cup. Congratulations Uvena. I wish her all the best, he told Meanwhile, All India Football Federation s Head of Referees Col. (Retd.) Goutam Kar said: This shows that Women s Refereeing in India is on the right path and Uvena s achievement is something which will act as inspiration for other girls aspiring to be future Referees. 4